My dear Kläre I promised you something more detailed about the true causes of the serious step
in which you now see me engaged. I will tell you what is needful that you may also be able to
refute any other gossip toward which however I am most indifferent myself. What for six
years past has supported comforted and strengthened me withal to stay by Minna's side despite
the enormous differences of our character and disposition is the love of that young
gentlewoman who at first and for long approached me shyly diffidently hesitant and timid but
thereafter more and more decidedly and surely. As there never could be talk between us of a
union our deep attachment took that wistful character which holds all base and vulgar thoughts
aloof and discerns its only source of gladness in the welfare of each other. [...] These words
from a letter Wagner send to his sister Clara Wolfram in 1858 will open this fantastic book
about the relationship between Richard Wagner and Mathilde Wesendonck. This book is a reprint
of the original work from 1905.
